I thought of sharing some koans by Dongshan that I thought were interesting all available in https://terebess.hu/zen/dongshan-eng.html
-25-
When the Master first set out on a pilgrimage, he met an old woman carrying water. The Master asked for some water to drink.
The old woman said, "I will not stop you from drinking, but I have a question I must ask first. Tell me, how dirty is the water?" 58
"The water is not dirty at all," said the Master.
"Go away and don't contaminate my water buckets," replied the old woman.
- How many people are like this old woman, when faced with a friendly truth, when faced with a teaching? Selfish and short-sighted? Recognize the value of being talked to, of their own possessions, and ungrateful to the very teacher that made them value them?
- If a Zen teacher is not selling you anything, what is in it for them? Was the teaching or speaking unskillful if it led to not getting water? Was Dongshen thirsty? Do Zen Masters have real needs or desires?
- “I have a question I must ask first” the woman asks. I ask about r/Zen, but also in general: Who decides what questions are asked and answered and in what order? What payment is promised afterwards normally? How often are people cheated?
- If he honestly answered the water was dirty, he shouldn't drink it, if he answered it was clean, he also would not be able to drink it. Is there any good answer?
Submitted May 08, 2020 at 10:01AM by 2bitmoment https://ift.tt/2YL0WOW
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